Communications and operation control of apheresis systems

Abstract

A method includes detecting a startup of an apheresis machine; in response to detecting start up, transmitting data to a server; determining, based on the data, whether software of the apheresis machine is current; receiving, in response to the data, a response from the server; and preventing usage of apheresis machine if the response indicates the software is not current. The data transmitted to the server may include one or more of a data log, a firmware version identifier, and an error log. The response may include a lockout signal. The response may include a software update. The software update may include a firmware update. The method may include automatically initiating installation of the software update. The method may include ceasing prevention of usage of the apheresis machine following installation of the software update.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 detecting, with a controller, a startup of a system for processing one or more blood components based on signals received by the controller;   in response to detecting start up, automatically transmitting, by the controller, data to a server;   automatically determining, by the server and based on the data, whether software of the system is current;   automatically receiving, by the controller and in response to the data, at least one file for updating the software of the system in response to determining that the software of the system is not current; and   automatically updating, by the controller, the software of the system in response to receiving the at least one file.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the data transmitted from the controller to the server comprises one or more of a data log, a firmware version identifier, and an error log. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one file includes a firmware update. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising preventing usage of the system until the software of the system is updated. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising ceasing prevention of usage of the system following the updating of the software of the system. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, based on the response from the server, displaying a message on a graphical user interface. 
     
     
         7 . The method if  claim 1 , wherein the software includes one or more of firmware, applications, and operating systems. 
     
     
         8 . A system for processing one or more blood components, the system comprising:
 at least one memory configured to store instructions; and   at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to cause the system to, upon startup of the system,
 send data to a server related to software of the system, 
 receive a response from the server based on the data sent to the server, and 
 automatically prevent usage of the system if the response from the server indicates the software is not current. 
   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the data sent to the server comprises one or more of a data log, a firmware version identifier, and an error log. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the response comprises a lockout signal. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the response comprises a software update. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to cause the system to
 automatically initiate installation of the software update.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the processor is further configured to cause the system to
 cease prevention of usage of the system following installation of the software update.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the processor is further configured to cause the system to, based on the response from the server,
 display a message on a graphical user interface.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the graphical user interface enables a user to begin a software installation. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the processor is further configured to cause the system to
 after preventing usage of the system, automatically determine whether an unlock requirement has been met; and   in response to determining the unlock requirement has been met, enable use of the system.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the unlock requirement is associated with an updated software. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the unlock requirement is met in response to connecting an external device including the software update to the system and installing the software update on the system. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the software includes one or more of firmware, applications, and operating systems. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein automatically preventing usage of the system includes receiving a lockout signal from the server, the lockout signal including instructions to prevent usage of the system until the software is current.